Chapter 7

When I returned to the palace I spent the next few hours listening to the Queen’s speech about how my lewd behavior could cost me and the image and reputation of the royal family, which thanks to the kindness of Commander Chase I had returned without causing further harm. I could try to tell her that I had actually been kidnapped, but she was unlikely to believe it, had no way of explaining what Dimitri Sidorov had done to me, it would look like witchcraft, which would only make it worse, She’d think I’d been stricken with evil and call priests to an exorcism, which I don’t need.

So I was content to hear your endless complaints.

" I really hope that you kept your honor intact, because if you didn’t..." she stared at me looking worried and furious at the same time.

" My honor is intact." I assured, uncomfortable with the course of the conversation.

She analyzed me for a few seconds trying to see if I was lying, finally said:

" I hope you’re telling the truth, meet me in the healer’s ch